Packing machines

ABSTRACT

A rotary cigarette packing machine having three layers, namely: a top layer in the form of a hopper which receives a continuous stream of cigarettes and divides them up into bundles; a bottom layer which forms open-ended packets from webs of packet material; and a middle layer which pushes the bundles into the packets, closes them and delivers them in one continuous stream. The machine rotates continuously about a vertical axis past a continuous supply of cigarettes and a continuous supply of each of the packet materials and comprises a number of sets of mechanisms, considered vertically, each of which will perform the complete packing operation so that that operation is being performed a number of times simultaneously.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Robert William Davies;

Charles Thomas Hall; Dennis Hinchcliiie; Alan Keith McCombie, London,England; Derek Henry Youngman, Maitland, Republic of South Africa 1211Appl. No. 590,153 [22] Filed Oct. 24, 1966v 1451 Patented May 25,1971[73] Assignee Molins Machines Company Limited London, England [32]Priority Nov. 1, 1965 [33] Great Britain [31] 46143/65 [54] PACKINGMACHINES 63 Claims, 50 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 53/37, 53/124, 53/151, 53/170, 53/183, 53/252, 93/441,198/167, 221/175 [5 1] Int. Cl B65b 19/04, B65b 19/12, 1365b 43/10 [50]Field ofSearch 53/124 (DE), 148--15l, 183, 191, 192, 236, 252, 169, 37,170

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 688,284 10/1901 Bilgram eta1 53/192X Primary ExaminerTheron E. Condon Assistant Examiner-NeilAbrams AttorneyCraig, Antonelli, Stewart and Hill ABSTRACT: A rotarycigarette packing machine having three layers, namely: a top layer inthe form of a hopper which receives a continuous stream of cigarettesand divides them up into bundles; a bottom layer which forms open-endedpackets from webs of packet material; and a middle layer which pushesthe bundles into the packets, closes them and delivers them in onecontinuous stream. The machine rotates continuously about a verticalaxis past a continuous supply of cigarettes and a continuous supply ofeach of the packet materials and comprises a number of sets ofmechanisms, considered vertically, each of which will perform thecomplete packing operation so that that operation is being performed anumber of times simultaneously.

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1. Carrier apparatus comprising a hollow column, first- andsecond-carrier members disposed externally thereof for movement alongthe column towards and away from each other, power means for effectingsuch movement, an operating member disposed in the column and connectedwith said power means, first and second releasable connecting meansoperated by said operating member for the first and second carriermembers respectively to connect them with the operating member for thetransmission of power from the power means to effect said movement, andcontrol means for the operating member, wherein operation of saidcontrol means to actuate one of said connecting means releases the otherof said connecting means.
 2. A packing machine for continuously packingbatches of compressible rodlike articles, comprising a plurality ofbatch-forming mechanism arranged to move in a continuous sequence past asupply station for the articles and to form the articles intopredetermined batches, a plurality of continuously moving supports forcarrying containers in alignment with said batch-forming mechanisms overa predetermined path, and means for progressively pushing the batchesinto the containers while the batch-forming mechanisms and supports movealong said predetermined path, and including a compression box operableto compress each batch of articles laterally prior to insertion into acontainer, a mouthpiece to guide each batch into the respectivecontainer, and means for receiving filled containers, each batch and thecorresponding container being aligned longitudinally in relation to thearticles and being similarly aligned with means for receiving filledcontainers, each said pushing means being arranged to push therespective batch of articles into the respective container and then topush further so as to push the container and articles onto the filledcontainer receiving means.
 3. A packing machine for continuously packingbatches of goods in containers, comprising a plurality of continuouslycirculating batch-forming mechanisms arranged to move in a continuoussequence past a supply station for goods and to form the goods intopredetermined batches, a plurality of packet-making mechanisms to makecontainers in the form of packets from sheet packet material supplied atpacket material supply stations past which said packet-making mechanismsare arranged to circulate continuously whereby each packet-makingmechanism in turn receives packet material, and a plurality of fillingmechanisms to insert into the said packets batches of goods receivedfrom said batch-forming mechanisms, each packet-making mechanismcomprising a rotatable block having a plurality of shaping portionsspaced apart around its axis of rotation, each capable of holding sheetpacket material, supply means to supply sheet packet material to each ofsaid shaping portions, and a packet former arranged to mate with saidshaping portions in succession, wherein rotation of the block bringseach said shaping portion in succession into a position to receive sheetpacket material and then into a position at which said former can matewith it to shape the material between the shaping portion and theformer, and wherein material can be supplied to one shaping portionwhile material is being shaped on another shaping portion.
 4. A machineaccording to claim 3, including a container support and a plunger toremove a packet from the former and to insert it into the containersupport, the former and the container support being arranged tocooperate with the plunger for said removal and insertion.
 5. A packingmachine for continuously packing batches of goods in containers,comprisinG a plurality of sets of mechanisms arranged to move in acontinuous sequence past a supply station for the goods, said sets ofmechanisms being arranged in three layers one above the other,comprising an upper layer including batch-forming mechanisms to receivegoods from the supply station, a lower layer includingcontainer-handling means, and an intermediate layer including fillingmechanisms to insert into the containers batches of goods received fromthe batch-forming mechanisms, and including means to support the threelayers comprising a column extending through the layers so that the setsof mechanisms are disposed around the column, the upper and lower layersbeing slidably mounted on the column whereby the three layers can bemoved apart from one another to allow access to the interior of themachine.
 6. A machine according to claim 5 comprising an operatingmember disposed in the column for vertical and rotational movement,means to connect each layer with the operating member for movementtherewith, said connecting means being selectively operable according tothe rotation of the operating member, power means for raising andlowering the operating member and control means operable to rotate theoperating member.
 7. A machine according to claim 3 wherein each shapingportion comprises a recess to receive the former.
 8. A machine accordingto claim 7 wherein a sidewall of one of the recesses is formed by amember pivotable about an axis parallel with the axis of rotation of theblock.
 9. A machine according to claim 7 wherein the packet formercomprises a forming piece of substantially rectangular cross sectionabout which an open-ended packet can be formed by folding material. 10.A machine according to claim 9 wherein the packet former comprises aplunger which is extendable through the forming piece to remove anopen-ended packet and retractable into the forming piece.
 11. A machineaccording to claim 7 comprising a movable clamping member to clampmaterial against one side of the packet former and a resilient backplate in the recess to engage the material and clamp it against theother side of the packet former.
 12. A machine according to claim 3wherein the packet former is mounted for reciprocatory movement along aline perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the block.
 13. A machineaccording to claim 3 wherein the rotatable block is provided with meansto support packet material by suction.
 14. A machine according to claim3 wherein the packet former is provided with means to support packetmaterial by suction.
 15. A machine according to claim 3 furthercomprising a rotary table on which the packet-forming mechanisms arecarried, being disposed at regular intervals around the table.
 16. Amachine according to claim 15 wherein each packet-forming mechanismincludes cam-operated means reciprocably to rotate the blocks to presentthe shaping portions alternately to the material supply means and to thepacket former, and wherein block-rotating cams are provided injuxtaposition with the rotary table to operate the block-rotating meansas the table rotates.
 17. A machine according to claim 16 wherein thecam-operated block-rotating means includes a pinion rotatable with theblock, and a pivoted drive lever, one end of which is provided with afollower to engage the block-rotating cams, and the other end of whichhas a toothed portion meshing with said pinion to rotate the block asthe drive lever pivots, and means to lock the block in position.
 18. Amachine according to claim 17 wherein the locking means comprises apivoted locking arm engageable with the block to lock it againstrotation and carrying a cam-operated follower, the block-rotating camsincluding cams to actuate said follower.
 19. A machine according toclaim 15 wherein said packet material supply means comprises a rotarydrum, a reel store of material and means to cut strips of material fromthe reel and feed the strips on the drum.
 20. A machiNe according toclaim 19 wherein the surface of each rotary block in the regions of theshaping portions is cylindrically curved about the axis of rotation andis engageable with a strip of material on the material supply drumsurface to remove it therefrom.
 21. A machine according to claim 20wherein the rotatable block is provided with means to support packetmaterial by suction, and the material supply drum is provided withsuction ports in its surface for securing the strip by suction, meansbeing provided for disconnecting said ports from suction and forapplying suction to the block to transfer a strip of material from thesupply drum to the block at the time of engagement of each block withthe supply drum, the speeds of rotation of the block and the drum beingsynchronized.
 22. A machine according to claim 15 comprising a pluralityof slides movable radially of the table under the control of cam means,each packet former being carried on one of said slides.
 23. A machineaccording to claim 22 wherein each packet former comprises a formingpiece of substantially rectangular cross section about which anopen-ended packet can be formed by folding material and a plunger whichis extendable through the forming piece to remove an open-ended packetand retractable into the forming piece, each plunger being carried on aslide, and cam means for controlling movement of each plunger.
 24. Amachine according to claim 8 comprising a folder piece for each blockmounted for radial and tangential movement, a cam operatively connectedto said folding piece to fold material against the packet former whenthe packet former is engaged in said one recess, and the pivotablemember is pivoted away from its normal, recess-defining position.
 25. Amachine according to claim 3 including an adhesive applicator past whicheach packet-forming mechanism moves for applying adhesive to packetmaterial carried by the mechanisms.
 26. A machine according to claim 3comprising tucking devices past which each packet-forming mechanismmoves and which act to fold the material against the packet former toform a packet end.
 27. A machine according to claim 26 wherein thetucking devices comprise a rotatable tucker to fold a flap of materialand a plough to hold the so folded flap in position, the tucker and theplough being formed to intermesh so that the flap is continuouslyconstrained in passing from the tucker to the plough.
 28. A machineaccording to claim 15 comprising a ring main extending around the rotarytable and communicating with a suction source, wherein eachpacket-forming mechanism includes means connecting its suction portswith the ring main.
 29. A machine according to claim 28 comprising abearing valve having a first bearing member rotating with the rotarytable of the machine about the same axis, and a second bearing memberstationary relative to the first, wherein each member is apertured forcontinuous transmission of suction through the bearing, the rotarybearing member communicating with the suction ring main and thestationary member communicating with the suction source and wherein thebearing members are spaced apart sufficiently to allow convenientrelative rotation without undue suction leakage.
 30. A machine accordingto claim 28 wherein the suction-connecting means includes a cam-operatedsuction control valve.
 31. A machine according to claim 30 wherein eachsuction-control valve comprises a valve passage communicating with thering main provided with a valve member, movable to close the passage,for and communicating with each set of suction ports which is to beoperated independently and a pair of movable cam-engaging wings for andconnected one pair to each valve member, and wherein operation of onewing by engagement with a cam opens the valve and resets the other wingand operation of the other wing closes the valve and resets the onewing.
 32. A machine according to claim 30 comprising a set of cams forthe operatioN of all the suction valves, disposed for engagementtherewith as the table carrying the packet-forming mechanisms rotates,and arranged to time the suction control according to the operation ofthe packet-forming mechanisms.
 33. A machine according to claim 31including a material detector, and a cam movable to an operativeposition in response to operation of the detector, wherein the detectoroperates to sense the absence of material supported over suction portswhen, in the normal running of the machine, such material should bepresent, and the cam acts in its operative position to cause suction tobe cut off from the relative suction ports.
 34. A packing machine forcontinuously packing batches of cylindrical rodlike articles incontainers, comprising a plurality of batch-forming mechanisms arrangedto move in a continuous sequence past a supply station for the articlesand to form predetermined batches from the articles received from thesupply station, a plurality of filling mechanisms to insert into thecontainers batches of articles received from the batch-formingmechanisms, and supply means to feed the articles at the supply stationin alignment in rows moving transversely to their lengths and at a speedsubstantially equal to the speed of movement of the batch-formingmechanisms past the supply station, said machine further comprisingmeans to feed articles along a flow path to the supply station andincluding at least two regions along said flow path means foraccelerating the articles whereby a substantial number of rows ofarticles in a slow moving stream is reduced and the speed of said streamis increased as it approaches said supply station, said flow pathincluding throughout its length means to align the articles.
 35. Apacking machine comprising a plurality of mechanisms for insertingbatches of rodlike articles into packets each having a closed end and anopen end to receive the articles longitudinally, each said mechanismcomprising batch support means and packet support means to hold thebatch and packet respectively against lateral movement while allowinglongitudinal movement, a mouthpiece to guide the batch into the packet,a holder for the filled packet, said batch support means, packet supportmeans and holder being normally disposed in longitudinal alignment, andmeans to push the batch through the mouthpiece into the packet andthence to push the filled packet into the holder, and means for movingsaid holder between its aligned position and an out-of-alignmentposition for handling the filled packet, said machine further comprisingmeans to act on each filled packet in the out-of-alignment position ofthe holder to close the open end of the packet, said holders beingarranged to move successively past said packet closing means.
 36. Acigarette packing machine comprising a plurality of continuouslycirculating batch-forming mechanisms arranged to move in succession pasta cigarette supply and to form predetermined batches of cigarettes, aplurality of continuously circulating packet-forming mechanisms arrangedto move in succession past at least one packet blank supply and to formpackets from the blanks, support means for continuously moving thecompleted packets and the cigarette batches at the same speed and inend-to-end alignment along a predetermined path, and a plurality ofcontinuously circulating plunger means movable longitudinally under theinfluence of a stationary cam so as to push the cigarette batchessmoothly and progressively all the way into the packets as the batchesand packets move along said predetermined path.
 37. A packing machineaccording to claim 36 in which said support means moving the packets andbatches along said predetermined path comprises a circular rotarymember, said predetermined path being arcuate.
 38. A packing machineaccording to claim 37 further comprising a plurality of filled packetholders and in which each plunger means furthermore pushes therespective packet and cigarette batch Smoothly and progressively out ofthe packet support means and onto said filled packet holder.
 39. Apacking machine for packing batches of goods in packets, comprising aplurality of similar packing mechanisms arranged along a closed path,means for moving said mechanisms continuously along said closed path, agoods supply station which each mechanism in turn passes while movingalong said closed path, and a packet material supply station which eachmechanism in turn passes while moving along said closed path, eachmechanism including batch-forming means for forming predeterminedbatches from the goods supplied at the supply station, packet formingmeans for forming packets from the packet material supplied at thepacket material supply station, and means for inserting batches of goodsinto the packets including plunger means for progressively insertingeach batch of goods into a packet formed by the respective packetforming means.
 40. A packing machine according to claim 39 furthercomprising a rotatable drum member, said packing mechanism all beingmounted at circumferentially spaced positions around the axis of saidrotatable drum member whereby said closed path is circular, andincluding means for rotating the drum member continuously about itsaxis.
 41. A packing machine according to claim 40 in which the axis ofrotation of the drum member is vertical.
 42. A packing machine accordingto claim 41 including an annular gravity feed hopper into which thegoods from the goods supply station are delivered, said hopper having aplurality of goods outlets each leading to one of the packingmechanisms.
 43. A machine according to claim 42 in which the drum membercomprises three layers, the upper layer of which comprises the annulargravity feed hopper, the lowest layer of which comprises thepacket-forming means, and the middle layer of which comprises the meansfor inserting batches of goods into the packets.
 44. A cigarette packingmachine for packing batches of cigarettes in packets, comprising aplurality of similar packing mechanisms arranged along a closedhorizontal path, means for moving said mechanisms continuously alongsaid path, a movable hopper extending all the way along said closedpath, means for moving the hopper along said closed path at the samespeed as the packing mechanisms, and cigarette supply means fordelivering into the hopper cigarettes lying transversely to thedirection of movement of the hopper, each mechanism includingbatch-forming means for forming predetermined batches from cigarettesreceived from the hopper, packet support means for supporting a packetin alignment with the batch formed by the respective batch-formingmeans, and plunger means for progressively pushing each batch ofcigarettes endwise into the packet as the respective mechanism movesalong said closed path.
 45. A machine according to claim 44 in which theclosed path is circular and in which the hopper is annular, thecigarette supply means being arranged to deliver the cigarettestangentially into the hopper.
 46. A machine according to claim 44 inwhich the hopper has a plurality of outlets for cigarettes leading tothe respective packing mechanisms, each outlet comprising a verticallymovable chute having a bottom wall, and operating means comprising meansfor moving the chute up and down in a repeating cycle, means for movingsaid plunger means to push a batch of cigarettes horizontally out of thechute while the chute is at its lowest position, said chute being thenraised by the operating means while the articles are supported by theplunger means until the chute reaches an upper position in which saidbottom wall of the chute supports the remaining cigarettes, and means towithdraw the plunger means to enable the chute to move downwards againto the position in which the next batch of cigarettes can be pushed outby the plunger means.
 47. A machine according to claim 46 in which eachchute comprises a plurality of vertical vanes defining a pLurality ofvertical channels for the discharge of separate rows of cigarettes, andin which the plunger means comprises a plurality of prongs which enterthe different channels.
 48. A machine according to claim 44 in which thecigarette supply means comprises means for feeding the cigarettes as astream comprising a plurality of rows moving transversely to the lengthsof the cigarettes and at a speed substantially equal to the speed ofmovement of the hopper past the supply means, and including means foraccelerating the cigarette stream in at least two regions whereby thenumber of rows in the stream is reduced before the stream reaches thehopper.
 49. A cigarette packing machine for packing batches ofcigarettes into packets, comprising a plurality of similar packingmechanisms arranged along a closed path, means for moving saidmechanisms continuously along said closed path, a plurality ofbatch-forming mechanisms, means for moving each batch-forming mechanismin turn past a cigarette supply station for receiving cigarettes to forma predetermined batch, means for continuously conveying packets forenclosing the batches of cigarettes, a plurality of compression boxesfor compressing the batches of cigarettes laterally, and a plurality ofplunger means for progressively inserting each batch of cigarettes aftercompression into one of the packets, each said compression boxcomprising two L-sectioned parts which cooperate to define a box ofrectangular section and which are movably connected together by twoparallel link members each of which is pivoted to both of said parts soas to constrain the two parts to move to compress cigarettes lyingwithin the box formed by the two parts.
 50. A machine according to claim49 in which the compression box swings progressively about an axisparallel to the pivots of the link members as the two parts of thecompression box move together to compress the cigarettes.
 51. A packingmachine for packing batches of goods in packets comprising inner andouter wrappers, said machine comprising a plurality of similar packingmeans, a plurality of packet-forming mechanisms, and a plurality ofbatch holders for conveying batches of goods for insertion into thepackets by the packing means, means for continuously circulating saidplurality of packing means, packet-forming mechanisms and batch holdersalong a closed path whereby each packet-forming mechanism in turn ismoved past two supply stations respectively for the sheet materialsforming the inner and outer wrappers of the packet, each saidpacket-forming mechanism comprising a rotatable block having two shapingportions spaced apart around its axis, each capable of holding saidsheet material, and a packet former arranged to cooperate with saidshaping portions in succession, whereby rotation of the block bringseach said shaping portion in succession into a position to receive sheetmaterial from one of the supply stations and then into a position atwhich said former can cooperate with it to shape the material betweenthe shaping portion and the former, with sheet material being suppliedto one shaping portion while material is being shaped on the othershaping portion.
 52. A packing machine according to claim 51 furthercomprising a rotatable drum member, said plurality of packing means,packet-forming mechanisms and batch holders being mounted atcircumferentially spaced positions around the axis of said drum memberwhereby said closed path is circular, the two packet material supplystations being mounted at circumferentially spaced positions alongsidethe drum member.
 53. A cigarette packing machine comprising a pluralityof batch-forming mechanisms arranged to circulate continuously past acigarette supply station, each mechanism being arranged to form a batchfrom the cigarettes supplied at the supply station; a plurality ofpacket-forming mechanisms arranged to circulate continuously past atleast one supply station for packet sheet material and to form packetsfRom said sheet material, and means moving the batch-forming mechanismsand packet-forming mechanisms in end-to-end alignment around a fixedaxis; and plunger means for progressively pushing each batch from thebatch-forming mechanism into the packet formed by the respectivepacket-forming mechanism.
 54. A cigarette packing machine according toclaim 53 further comprising a plurality of filled-packet holders, eachsaid plunger means being capable of continuing its movement, afterpushing the batch of cigarettes into the respective packet, so as topush the packet with the cigarettes onto said filled-packed holder. 55.A method of packing cigarettes comprising continuously transportingbatches of cigarettes along a closed path with the axes of thecigarettes lying transversely to the direction of the movement of thebatches, continuously transporting packets along a closed path, bringingthe batches and packets into end-to-end alignment while beingtransported, progressively and smoothly pushing each batch along astraight line extending in the direction of the axes of the cigarettesand into the corresponding aligned packet and continuing the pushing ofthe batch with the packet further along said straight line to a positionwhere said filled packet is transported along a further path extendingtransversely to said straight line, with the cigarettes in the packetstill extending in the same direction, and closing said filled packetswhile they move along said further path.
 56. A packing machine forcontinuously packing in containers batches of compressible, cylindrical,rodlike articles such as cigarettes, comprising a plurality of sets ofmechanisms arranged to move in continuous sequence past a supply stationfor the articles, each set comprising a batch-forming mechanism toreceive articles from the supply station, and a filling mechanism toinsert into the containers batches of articles received from thebatch-forming mechanism, said sets being arranged to operate cyclicallyand in succession, each said filling mechanism comprising means toreceive and support a bundle of goods from the batch-forming mechanism,means to support a container to receive the bundle in alignment withsaid bundle-receiving means, a holder for the filled containers, andmeans to push the bundle into the container and thence to push thefilled container into its holder, said bundle support means, containersupport means and filled-container holder all being alignablelongitudinally of the bundle of goods whereby the bundle can be pushedfrom the bundle-support means along a straight line into thefilled-container holder, and wherein each set of mechanisms comprises amouthpiece to guide the bundle into the container, and thebundle-support means comprises a compression box operable to compressthe bundle laterally.
 57. A packing machine for continuously packingbatches of goods in containers, comprising a plurality of sets ofmechanisms arranged to move in continuous sequence past a supply stationfor the goods, each set comprising a batch-forming mechanism to receivegoods from the supply station, and a filling mechanism to insert intothe containers batches of goods received from the batch-formingmechanism, said sets being arranged to operate cyclically and insuccession, each set of mechanisms comprising a packet-making apparatusto make containers in the form of packets from at least one source ofsheet material past which each set of mechanisms in turn moves, and tosupply these packets to the filling mechanism of the respective set,each packet-making apparatus comprising a rotatable block having shapingportions spaced apart around its axis of rotation, each capable ofholding sheet packet material, supply means to supply sheet material tosaid shaping portions, and a packet former arranged to mate with saidshaping portions in succession, wherein rotation of the block bringseach said shaping portion in succession into a position to receive sheetmaterial and then into a posiTion at which said former can mate with itto shape the material between the shaping portion and the former withsheet material being supplied to the one shaping portion at the sametime that material is being shaped on the other shaping portion.
 58. Apacking machine for packing batches of compressible rodlike articles incontainers, comprising a hopper mounted for circulation continuouslyalong a closed horizontal path, said hopper being of a troughlikeconstruction extending along said path, a plurality of batch-receivingmechanisms mounted for continuous circulation and arranged to receivebatches of articles from said hopper, a plurality of holders for thecontainers mounted for continuous circulation, means for moving saidhopper, said batch-receiving means and said holders at the same speed,and a plurality of packing mechanisms mounted for continuous circulationand arranged to transfer said batches from the batch-receiving means andinto the containers, said hopper having means defining a plurality ofoutlets through which batches of articles are delivered successively tosaid batch-receiving means, said packing machine including means fordelivering said articles continuously into the hopper as a stream movingin the same direction and at substantially the same speed as the hopperwith said articles arranged transversly to the direction of movement ofthe stream.
 59. A cigarette packing machine according to claim 58 inwhich each of said outlets from the hopper is defined by a plurality ofvanes for passing the cigarettes out of the hopper in a plurality ofseparate rows lying between the vanes.
 60. A packing machine for packingbatches of goods in packets comprising a plurality of wrappers, saidmachine comprising a plurality of similar packing means mounted forcontinuous circulation, a plurality of packet-forming mechanisms mountedfor continuous circulation, means for moving each packet-formingmechanism in turn successively past at least two supply stationsrespectively for the sheet material forming each of the wrappers of thepacket, and a plurality of batch holders mounted for continuouscirculation for conveying batches of goods for insertion into thepackets by the packing means, each said packet-forming mechanismcomprising a rotatable block having at least two shaping portions spacedapart around its axis, each capable of holding said sheet material andpacket-former means, arranged to cooperate with said shaping portions insuccession, whereby rotation of the block brings each said shapingportion in succession into a position to receive sheet material from oneof the supply stations and then into a position at which said formermeans can cooperate with it to shape the material between the shapingportion and the former means with sheet material being supplied to oneshaping portion while material is being shaped on another shapingportion.
 61. A packing machine as claimed in claim 60 for packingbatches of goods in packets comprising an inner and an outer wrapperwherein said means for moving each packet-forming mechanism moves eachsaid mechanism in turn successively past two supply stationsrespectively for the sheet material forming the inner and outer wrappersof the packet, and each of said rotatable blocks has two shapingportions.
 62. A cigarette packing machine according to claim 53 in whichthe plunger means are carried by a rotating drum around which thebatch-forming mechanisms and packet-forming mechanisms move inend-to-end alignment while each batch is being progressively pushed intothe corresponding aligned packet.
 63. A method for packing cigarettescomprising continuously transporting batches of cigarettes along aclosed path comprising at least partly a first arcuate section,continuously transporting packets along a closed path comprising atleast partly a second arcuate section coaxial with the first arcuatesection, said first and second arcuate sections defining an arcuateplane, bringing the batches and packets into end-to-end alignment whilebeing transported, progressively and smoothly pushing each batch along astraight line extending in the direction of the axes of the cigarettesinto the corresponding aligned packet while the batch and packet aremoving along said arcuate plane and continuing the pushing of the batchwith the packet further along said straight line while the batch andpacket still move along said arcuate plane to a position where saidfilled packet is transported along a further path, and closing saidfilled packets while they move along said further path.